Rights of foreign patients in Poland – FAQ 2025

Visiting a doctor in a new country can be more stressful than the illness itself. Language barriers, unfamiliar rules, questions about documents and treatment costs. All this leads many people to type phrases such as: patient rights, foreigner in Poland and „am I entitled to assistance from the National Health Fund?”.

This guide is in the form of Patient rights FAQ – we provide brief and specific answers on how to use medical care, what you can expect from a facility, and what role it plays. health insurance for foreigners. The tips will be useful for people from the EU and outside the EU who are working, studying, or staying temporarily in Poland.

Access to public services depends on whether you are eligible to use the system financed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). In practice, this means that you must have a „title” to insurance: e.g., employment and paid contributions, student status with appropriate registration, voluntary insurance with the NFZ, or eligibility under EU regulations.

If you are not covered by public insurance, you can still seek private treatment. In this case, it is crucial to health insurance for foreigners, which can cover the costs of visits, tests, or hospitalization. On the medical-insurance.pl blog, you will also find a practical guide: how to get medical help.

Most often, the facility will ask for proof of identity and proof of insurance. Depending on the situation, this may be, for example, an eWUŚ (if you are registered in Poland), a document from your university or employer, or EU documents. If there is a problem with confirmation, ask at the registration desk what exactly they expect and whether you can provide it later.

It is worth checking the organizational rules in your situation in advance. It is also helpful to compare whether it is better to use the National Health Fund or a private insurance policy – see: health insurance – what to look out for.

Regardless of citizenship, basic rules apply in Poland. patient rights: the right to information about their health condition, diagnosis, and treatment; the right to give consent (or refuse consent); the right to privacy and dignity; the right to confidentiality of medical information; and the right to access their medical records. Foreigners in Poland therefore have the right to expect clear explanations and a safe treatment process.

In practice, most misunderstandings arise from communication. If you do not understand the language, ask for simple explanations or consider having someone present to help you with translation. Also, remember that your doctor may ask for medical information, and additional documents may be required for insurance claims, such as confirmation of diagnosis and treatment.

Yes, consent is required in many situations. Before signing, you have the right to ask questions: what the procedure involves, what the risks are, and what the alternatives are. If you do not understand the document, ask for clarification. In life-threatening emergencies, procedures may differ, but the principle of informing the patient remains crucial.

Yes. Documentation is important not only for medical reasons, but also for insurance purposes. The insurer may require documents confirming the diagnosis and treatment, as well as bills with the patient's and facility's details. Therefore, after your visit, ask for a discharge summary, recommendations, and test results, and in the case of private treatment, ask for an invoice or bill.

A good insurance policy for foreigners in Poland is not just a „piece of paper for the application.” It can ensure the organization of treatment, cashless settlements in a network of facilities, or reimbursement of costs incurred. In many insurance terms and conditions, you will find definitions such as: foreigner as a person without Polish citizenship, as well as the requirement to have an insurance document, e.g., a policy or certificate.

It is also important to consider who is covered by the protection: some products apply to people staying in Poland temporarily (e.g., without a permanent residence card), while others are tailored to longer stays. If you are interested in the formal requirements for legalizing your stay, see: insurance and residence card.

If you are comparing offers and costs, this material will also be useful: how to reduce insurance costs and a description of the scope of services: scope of benefits 2025.

Below, we have compiled a list of questions that most frequently arise in conversations with foreigners. It is a quick checklist for when you need help „here and now” and want to know how to defend your rights and how to settle your medical treatment costs.

In the event of a sudden threat to health or life, assistance should be provided immediately. In planned cases, the facility may require confirmation of eligibility or private payment for the service. If you feel that the refusal is unjustified, ask for the reason and contact the facility's management.

Yes. You have the right to know what is wrong with you, what your treatment options are, and what the consequences may be. If language is a problem, ask for a simpler explanation or for someone to accompany you. It is also a good idea to write down recommendations and medication names to avoid mistakes.

First, determine whether you can use National Health Fund for foreigners in your situation. If not, ask about the cost before the service and request the documents needed for settlement with the insurer. Medical expense policies often require: documentation confirming the diagnosis and treatment, and receipts containing the patient's and facility's details.